Jesus is Near; What is Your Response?

Shana Wise
Mar 31
5 min read

By Pastor Shana Wise

There will be times in our lives when we must “push through the crowds and the noise” and rise above our circumstances that seem dire and hopeless.

Jesus demonstrates his love through action. He is in the business of healing, delivering, and setting people free of whatever is afflicting them. There will be times when we need to come to Jesus “by any means necessary” to receive what we are looking for. This will require faith and perseverance.

The stories in Mark 5:21-42 reflect not only Jesus’ ability to heal and deliver but also the faith of those believing that he can.

Mark 5:21-24

Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” 24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged

Him.

Questions

How has Jesus shown up for you?

What are some things that the ruler of the synagogue (the young girl’s father) did to make his request to Jesus? What lesson can we learn from this?

Mark 5:25-34

Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” 29 Immediately, the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” 31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” 32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

Questions

What are some stories you heard about Jesus that He did for other people?

Why do you think she was immediately healed when she touched the hem of Jesus’s garment?

When Jesus asks a question, he is not looking for an answer, he is looking for a response. Why do you think he asked who touched him?

And He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” The world called this lady unclean; Jesus called her a daughter. Many of us have been labeled by others; God only calls us by what He sees (what He created). What other names does God call you?

Can you think of a time when you had to rise from your situation to receive your healing from Jesus?

Mark 5:35-42

While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” 37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39 When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” 40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement.

Questions

While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” Watch your circle of friends! There will always be antagonists in your life. This verse also reveals where the other rulers of the synagogue's house faith was in Jesus. During the most difficult times, we must make sure our faith is stronger than the crowd.

How do you respond to your naysayers and negative chatter?

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” Have you ever heard Jesus speak to you during times of negativity and hopelessness? How did it make you feel? What else can we learn from this verse?

And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39 When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” 40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.

There will be times in our lives when only certain people are allowed to witness what God is about to do. Not everybody can go where you are going because they lack faith, or they just are not part of the assignment.

If we are going to get out of a bad situation, we need to shut out the negativity in our lives.

Have you ever had to intentionally cut others off so that you can get your blessing or do what God has called you to do?

Has Jesus ever isolated you to do a miracle?

Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement.

Once again, we see an immediate miracle happen. Jesus spoke, and the girl responded. Has Jesus ever spoken a word to you, and you immediately responded or were healed from something?

Has God ever done something in your life that caused the ones around you (even the nay-sayers) to be amazed?

About The Author

Dr. Shana Wise is an ordained Pastor who founded and oversees Wise Choice Ministries with her husband, Pastor Ron Wise. She is also the CEO and founder of The Well Christian Women’s Network. Dr. Wise is the author of Women’s Devotionals Acts of Intercession and Chief Women Arise, The Impact of Your Election, and the Basic Ministry Training Manual (all available on Amazon). She received a Doctor of Divinity degree in 2019 from St. Thomas Christian University. Her passion is to teach and preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, equip others to apply the Word to their lives, and demonstrate it through the power of the Holy Spirit. She is a televangelist who appears on social media outlets. Shana is married and has four children.

For speaking engagements, email: wisechoiceministries512@gmail.com.

Books available on Amazon:

Acts of Intercession

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1721143629/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_BuKbFb8FMZHEB

The Impact of Your Election

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1792003307/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_vvKbFbA33J669

Basic Ministry Training Manual

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08ZBRS8XP?pf_rd_r=RNTWKYAH1KWS6353VH5D&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8&pd_rd_r=372a05c9-a618-4cba-bc09-a70cad4bfa18&pd_rd_w=ZEyWA&pd_rd_wg=PKaT4&ref_=pd_gw_unk

Chief Women Arise

https://www.amazon.com/Chief-Women-Arise-Womens-Devotional-ebook/dp/B09C29DJLM/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=chief+women+arise+shana+wise&qid=1628548608&sr=8-1

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